Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay reprimanded local government officials on Friday for allowing an advertising firm to rename a street sign from Gil Puyat to Gil Tulog Avenue – a play on the Filipino words “puyat” or lacking in sleep and “tulog” or asleep for a wellness product.
She has since ordered for the signs to be taken down.
“It is unfortunate that the request for a permit for the so-called advertising campaign to change the street signs of Gil Puyat Avenue did not reach my office,” Binay said in a statement. “ I have already reprimanded these officials for this glaring oversight.”
The street sign renaming, which has gone viral on social media, turned out to be a marketing ploy for a melatonin brand selling supplements allegedly promoting sleep improvement.
“Kung dumaan sa akin yan, rejected ‘yan agad (If that reached my office, it would be rejected right away),” the mayor added.
Binay said the city officials who issued the permit should have exercised prudence.
“They should have been more thorough,” she said.
“They should have thought about the confusion it would cause for motorists and commuters. And they should have valued the respect it symbolizes for the family and memories of former Senate President Gil Puyat.”
Binay also issued an apology on behalf of Makati City.
“I apologize to our countrymen and the family of former Senate President Puyat. These signs have been taken down on my instruction,” she said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Binay chides city officials for allowing ad firm to rename Gil Puyat Ave.”
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